To combat the toxic mindset that only comments are signs that a fic is doing well, I ask for more experienced writers share here their experiences with feedback that wasn't comments.
EDIT: THIS IS NOT A ANTI COMMENT PROPAGAND.
I just mean, as a writer I can see other forms of appreciation even when the comments didn’t come.
As a reader, I feel I should never comment asking about updates, so as not to risk irritating the writer.
On the other hand, as a writer, if no one expresses any longing for my ongoing story, I think no one is eager for an update.
Drop your cents here writers
Since last year I've been writing a long fanfic for a fandom that's no longer very active, and to make the audience even more niche, the focus of this fic is a ship that isn't even the most popular (secondary characters in the canon).
And I think if I had received little attention from the beginning, maybe things would be calmer, but no. I received a lot of positive feedback that decreased over time until it reached zero comments. And so, I don't think the problem is the story; nobody is interacting with me, but the updates still get kudos and subscriptions. From the bottom of my heart I want to write and finish this story, but facing this wall of silence with each update is slowly breaking my spirit.
I want to find ways to solve the problem, but currently I've come to the conclusion that I need the words of another human being. It's a psychological block. So I thought, if it's to overcome my fear of publishing, I'll recycle the premise of this fic and fit it into another fandom, a more alive one of something I also enjoy. I know nothing makes someone comment on your work, but I don't know, I think putting my work in a more active place will give me some information about my writing.
Sorry for the rant.